When it comes to organizing successful events, finding the right ticketing platform with the lowest fees can make all the difference. However, the search for an ideal platform often revolves around more than just functionality.
πΈ We're talking money!
A common practice in the event space is to charge revenue-based fees per every ticket sold, but is it really cost-effective for the event organizers?
Luckily, there are many affordable ticketing platforms that still provide a seamless event experience on a lower budget. This article provides a comprehensive list of the top 10 ticketing platforms offering some of the lowest fees in the industry.
Keep reading to see how to maximize your event revenue and ensure a hassle-free ticketing experience while avoiding unnecessary platform fees.
Types of fees: Commission fees & transaction fees
Let's begin by taking a look at the types of fees that various ticketing platforms charge and which of these can actually be avoided. Hereβs a breakdown to help you make informed choices for your event!
Types of ticket fees
- Avoidable fees:
- Commission fees:
- These are fees that ticketing platforms charge for the use of their services.
- They typically range from 3% to 6% of the ticket price.
- Some platforms opt for a flat fee per ticket sold instead of a percentage.
- Platforms like Checkout Page offer zero commission fees, allowing you to keep more of your earnings!
- Commission fees:
- Unavoidable Fees:
- Transaction fees/card processing fees:
- These are fees imposed by credit card companies and card processing platforms like Stripe
- Unfortunately, these fees are generally unavoidable if you want to accept digital payments.
- They usually range from 3% to 10% of the transaction amount.
- Transaction fees/card processing fees:
Key insights:
- Comparative Costs: The fees can differ significantly between ticketing platforms.
- Flexibility: Platforms with lower fees provide more options for pricing strategies, helping you maximize your profit margins.
- Impact on event profitability: Higher fees can cut into your revenue. By choosing cost-effective ticketing solutions, you can enhance your eventβs profitability and boost attendance.
Comparison of event ticket platforms & fees
1. Checkout Page
Checkout Page is a cost-effective one-page checkout platform that offers to build fully customizable event checkout pages, payment plan options and dynamic pricing features.
Features:
β Volume-based fixed pricing, no individual ticket fees
β Conditional logic and dynamic pricing
β Suitable for international events with all major currencies accepted and customizable fields for translations
β Buy now, pay later, subscription and payment plan options
β Can also be used to sell merchandise and digital products
Fees:
πΈ Launch: $29/month (up to $3k sales volume)
πΈ Grow: $99/month (up to $10k sales volume)
πΈ Scale: $239/month (up to $30k sales volume)
2. ThunderTix
ThunderTix is a used-focused ticketing platform known for its competitive pricing and robust features that simplify the ticketing process for event organizers while providing excellent customer support.
Features:
β No fees based on revenue
β Interactive seating charts
β Private CRM
β Low monthly minimum from $20
Fees:
πΈ General Admission: $1 per ticket
πΈ Reserved Seating: $1.25 per ticket
πΈ Enterprise: $1.75 per ticket
3. TicketSource
TicketSource is a free ticketing platform for selling, managing, and promoting event tickets, with features like customizable event pages and flexible ticketing options.
Features:
β No fees for cancellations
β No contracts or minimums
β Option to add donations when purchasing a ticket (3.5% admin fee)
β Charity discounts
Fees:
πΈ 7% + VAT per paid booking*
πΈ 4.5% + VAT when using own Stripe account
(Includes payment processing, which is generally 2.9% + 30Β’)
4. Showpass
Showpass is a comprehensive event management and ticketing platform for organizers with complex event needs, offering features such as marketing tools, analytics, and memberships.
Features:
β Displays real-time event data
β Option to upsell and promote add-ons
β Bundle pricing
β Event directory
Fees:
πΈ Essential: 1% + $0.44* per paid ticket
πΈ Professional: 2.5% + $1.27* per paid ticket
(*Pricing adjusted to USD according to the current exchange rate 1 USD = 1.33 CAD)
5. Eventzilla
Eventzilla is an event management and marketing platform that offers online registration, livestreaming, and attendee management for seamless end-to-end event planning.
Features:
β Registration and attendee management
β Automated waitlist and approval process
β Live streaming
β Landing page and survey builder
Fees:
πΈ Basic: $1.50 per ticket
πΈ Pro: 1.9% + $1.50 per ticket
πΈ Plus: 2.9% + $1.50 per ticket
6. Ticket Tailor
Ticket Tailor is an independent, customer-focused ticketing platform offering private ticket sales, analytics, and translations to reach a wider audience.
Features:
β No contracts
β Prepaid ticket fee credits never expire
β Password-protected tickets for private events
β Checkout translations in 19 languages
Fees:
πΈ Prepay: From $0.26 per ticket
πΈ Pay as you go: $0.65 per ticket
7. Tix
Tix is a versatile and comprehensive ticketing platform with integrated access controls, multi-channel distribution capabilities, and a robust reporting suite.
Features:
β 24/7 call center for ticket sales
β Compatible with over 30 payment gateways
β Option to use Tix merchant account for payment processing
β CRM tools and analytics
Fees:
πΈ $1.00-1.50 per online ticket sold
8. TicketSpice
TicketSpice is a customization and cost-driven ticketing platform that includes an event page builder, real-time analytics, and conditional logic pricing.
Features:
β Event page builder
β Conditional logic pricing
β Incentives for discounts when sharing events on social media
β Option to upgrade an existing order and upcharge customers
Fees:
πΈ $0.99 per ticket
9. Yapsody
Yapsody is an enterprise-focused event ticketing platform made to fast-track multiple touchpoints in the event creation and ticketing process.
Features:
β Exclusive event access using invite-only codes
β Option to apply surcharge pricing for high-demand events
β Offline payment methods
β Built-in SEO tools
Fees:
πΈ General seating: 1.75% + $0.59 per ticket
πΈ Reserved seating: 2.49% + $0.98 per ticket
10. RegFox
RegFox is an event registration and ticketing platform focused on attendee management, data driven analytics and event promotion.
Features:
β No-code event page builder with templates
β Attendee management and on-site check-in
β Option to upsell add-ons, merchandise and upgrades
β Payment plan options
Fees:
πΈ 1% + $0.99 per ticket (capped at $4.99 per ticket)
While choosing a ticketing platform with the lowest fees is crucial for event organizers to maximize revenue, it is also important to consider the features, functionality, and overall customer experience.
With the broad range of options above, you are sure to find the perfect solution for your event and business requirements. Remember, the smoother the ticket purchasing experience for your guests, the higher the chances they'll make their way back to your future events!
(None of the fees listed above include payment processing fees determined by your chosen payment gateway)
What ticket site has the lowest fees?
Which event ticketing platform has the lowest fees depends on your ticket volume and ticket price. However, based on the fee comparisons above:
- For the most cost-effective option with powerful features: Checkout Page
- For free basic ticketing with a pay-as-you-go option (7% per ticket): TicketSource
Checkout Page stands out for its unique volume-based pricing structure. Unlike other platforms that charge per ticket sold, Checkout Page offers a monthly subscription fee with no additional ticketing fees.
This can be a huge advantage for events selling a high volume of tickets, especially when compared to platforms that charge 5% or even 10% per ticket.
Here's a breakdown of why Checkout Page could be the most cost-effective option, especially for events selling a lot of tickets:
- Volume-based pricing: Instead of a per-ticket fee, Checkout Page offers a tiered monthly subscription fee. This means the more tickets you sell, the lower your overall fee becomes per ticket.
- No hidden fees: There are no surprise per-ticket charges with Checkout Page. Just a flat monthly fee and the standard payment processing fees from your chosen payment gateway (like Stripe).
- Powerful features: Checkout Page offers a robust suite of features, including customizable event pages, payment plan options, and dynamic pricing to optimize your sales.
Want to find out for yourself about how user friendly our no-code event page builder is? Try it out with our 7-day free trial-no credit card needed!